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But TV shows like Kath & Kim and Chris Lilley’s We Can Be Heroes and movies like Kenny - projects that use the mock-documentary approach to excellent effect - are winning big laughs and big audiences.
This
particular style lends itself to comedies that take a low-key,
realistic approach to the jokes, something that suits the Australian
sense of humour right down to the ground.
And shooting a comedy
documentary-style doesn’t call for a big budget either, something
cost-conscious local filmmakers frequently must take into account.
The latest film to make the most of the mockumentary format is the fresh, funny Razzle Dazzle, which is reminiscent in approach and tone to the films of Christopher Guest - no small compliment, given that Guest’s Best in Show and A Mighty Wind are among the best examples of this style of comedy.
Centred around the cutthroat world of pre-teen dance competitions, Razzle Dazzle
follows the rivalry between the studios run by Mister Jonathon (Ben
Miller), a socially-conscious choreographer who tends to create
routines around hot-button topics like globalisation and gender
oppression, and Miss Elizabeth (Jane Hall), a prim and proper
taskmistress who plays to win.
It’s not only the young dancers
and their teachers who are feeling the pressure as the grand final of a
major dance tournament approaches, it’s also the starry-eyed stage
parents.
There’s no better example of this than Justine (Kerry
Armstrong), the mother of Mister Jonathon’s star pupil, Tennille -
there’s nothing Justine won’t do to get her daughter a spot on centre
stage.
Given its cavalcade of colourful characters, it would be oh-so-easy for Razzle Dazzle
to head over the top. To the credit of director Darren Ashton and his
cast and crew, however, the movie never strays into high-pitched
hysterics.
Instead, it plays things calmer and cooler, letting
the humour bubble along naturally. And it’s a pleasure to watch a film
that has enough confidence in its own wit to underplay its many jokes.
That’s
not to say, though, that it’s completely reserved in its approach,
especially as far as the performances are concerned. Actors like Miller
(from the British comedy The Worst Week of My Life),
Hall and Armstrong (in a role utterly suited to her keyed-up persona)
give broad performances, but broad in just the right way.
Razzle Dazzle doesn’t rewrite the rules of comedy, but it’s a very likable and enjoyable little film nevertheless.
EXTRAS
There's
some rather dull Deleted scenes, ‘Making Of’ featurette and Audio
commentary (it's stock standard these days, and very few companies will
bother to put much effort into them which is a real shame).
However,
there is the clever addition of Audition footage - something very
rarely seen (on of the best can be found on the Will Ferrell SNL DVD,
which shows his audition for SNL back in the late 90's before he hit it
big). It's a fantastic insight into the movie making business and well
worth checking out. Conclusion:
Movie 70% Extras: 55%
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